Hitcents

Some of the most popular apps designed for smart phones and tablets come from the team at Hitcents, a tech company based in Bowling Green. The firm received attention earlier this year when it unveiled an iPad app called Hanx Writer that simulated a vintage typewriter.

“I guess the biggest struggle is that the iPad was more the size of a typewriter – similar. And then, the iPhone [is] much smaller,” said Oliver. “It was kind of interesting to make those keys small, still beautiful, and yet functional.”

Art director Joe Tudor and says the project was challenging, but rewarding.

“iPads are fun and interesting but they aren’t very portable,” said Tudor. “Everyone has a phone and a device and it really serves as an extension of the app to get it in more people’s hands. So we’re really excited about the opportunity to let more people experience the app and experience the ‘typewriter feel’.”

The iPad app proved popular when it was released this summer. The design for the app is based on vintage typewriters from Tom Hanks’ personal collection.

A new iPad app that attempts to recreate the experience of banging away at a manual typewriter is the brainchild of actor Tom Hanks and the creative minds at Hitcents in Bowling Green.

Stuart Westphal was the point man for Hitcents on the project called “Hanx Writer”. Westphal says more than 20 members of the Hitcents team worked together to create the app. Designs for the project were inspired by actual manual typewriters.

“It was actually a lot of fun,” said Westphal. “Tom sent three of his vintage typewriters to our Bowling Green office, which is our headquarters here at Hitcents. We unboxed them and it was kind of like a little holiday here at the office.”

Down to the smallest detail, the app is meant to replicate the look and sound of using a typewriter.

“Every opportunity that we get to go that extra mile, even if it’s something that not everybody would pay attention to, that’s important to us, and that goes all the way down to our code,” said Westphal.

A crowd of over 3,000 fans turned out for the Bowling Green Hot Rods season opener, a 5-2 win over the South Bend Silver Hawks Thursday night. The game marked the beginning of a new era for Bowling Green’s minor league baseball team and the area around its downtown ballpark.

It’s the team’s sixth year at Bowling Green Ballpark, which now has a new neighbor: a multi-restaurant, parking garage and apartment building next door known as Hitcents Park Plaza. One of the restaurants named "6-4-3", after the scoring notation for a double play, features a distinct baseball feel.

It was also the first game since the new ownership group, led by Stuart and Jerry Katzoff, took over in December.

A well-known Bowling Green restaurant is moving from its historic downtown location after being purchased by a new owner.

Mariah’s 1818 restaurant is headed to the Hitcents Park Plaza, in a different part of the city’s downtown. The restaurant was purchased by the MR Group Monday, and will be one of five restaurants opening in the plaza.

Bowling Green natives have taken to Mariah’s Facebook page to share their feelings on the move. Although there are some who support the change, many are sharing feelings of disappointment, saying that the Mariah’s Moore House location is what creates the beloved atmosphere of the restaurant, and that the new location simply won’t be the same.

Some accused the purchasing group of not understanding the historical significance of Mariah’s Restaurant and its location and what it means to the community.

Mariah’s responded on their Facebook page, saying the new location will provide more space and necessary updates which will better serve the community.

Mariah’s will be opened in the current location through March 31 and will open its new doors in April.